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Peter Dutton

Leader of the Opposition, Member for Dickson

Peter Dutton

“The right decisions aren’t always popular. But I’m not interested in taking the easy path, because we live in the best country in the world, and I’m determined to get Australia back on track.

About Peter

Peter started his working life working part time after school in a butcher’s shop.

He later started a small family business which grew to employ 40 Australians.

For nine years, Peter served his community as a Police Officer.

He worked in the National Crime Authority and Drug and Sex Offenders Squads, with a focus on protecting women and children.

About Peter
About Peter

Peter was elected to Parliament in 2001. In 2006 John Howard appointed him Assistant Treasurer.

During his time as Minister for Health, Peter increased hospital funding by 16% over two years and established the $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.

About Peter
Peter Dutton with family

As Home Affairs Minister, Peter oversaw critical agencies like the Australian Federal Police and ASIO.

As Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter was responsible for deporting thousands of violent criminals, overseeing Operation Sovereign Borders, and removing all children from detention.

As Minister for Defence, Peter delivered record funding for vital equipment to keep our country safe. He also helped deliver the AUKUS security partnership with the UK and the United States.

Peter is married to Kirilly and is the proud father of Rebecca, Harry and Tom.

The Latest From Peter

Stay up to date with Peter’s social content.

The right decisions aren’t always popular. But I’m not interested in taking the easy path, because we live in the best country in the world, and I’m determined to get Australia Back on Track.
Under the Coalition, bulk billing hit a record high of 88%. Under Labor, it’s dropped to 77%—meaning millions fewer free GP visits or services.

We’ll guarantee growing Medicare funding, support bulk billing, and double Medicare-funded mental health sessions.

Labor’s scare tactics don’t change the facts. Our record proves Medicare is stronger under a Coalition Government.
While other countries power their industries with reliable, zero-emissions nuclear energy, Australian businesses are collapsing under soaring power costs, and households are paying up to three times as much for electricity.

A Dutton Coalition Government will secure prosperity, job security, and clean energy for future generations.
Last night, the Albanese Government was forced to back my calls for tougher penalties and new offences for antisemitic attacks—amending their own legislation and supporting the Coalition’s stronger measures.

We have secured:
• Mandatory minimum jail sentences for acts of terrorism of 6 years’ jail.
• 3 year mandatory minimum jail sentences for terrorism financing.
• A minimum 1 year jail sentence for the display of Nazi and terrorist symbols and the Nazi salute (and we have also increased the maximum for those offences to 5 years). 
• A minimum 1 year jail sentence for property damage that advocates for force or violence to be used against groups because of their religion, race or ethnicity.

We have also secured a decisive response to attacks on places of worship, through new offences for those who advocate or threaten such attacks, as well as attacks on vehicles or property.

This is the strong leadership needed to keep Australians safe and get our country Back on Track
2025 is an important year—one where Australians will decide the direction of our future.

Two and a half years ago, Anthony Albanese promised Australians that life would be "cheaper" under Labor - with "cheaper mortgages" and "cheaper electricity" and you'd be better off. 

But across the country, families are hurting. Small businesses—the backbone of our economy—are collapsing. In just two and a half years, 27,000 small businesses have had to shut up shop. Manufacturing closures have tripled. And every time Australians go to the supermarket, open their power bill, or pay their rent, they feel the weight of a government that has lost its way.

But there is a better way. A government that believes in backing Australians, not holding them back.

A Dutton Coalition Government will fight to ease cost-of-living pressures, back small businesses, build a stronger economy, fix the housing crisis, and rebalance our migration program. We’ll deliver affordable and reliable energy, and keep our communities safe.

It’s time to restore confidence in our economy. Time for a government that gets out of the way and lets Australians succeed. It's time for strong leadership to get Australia Back on Track.
Over the past two years, Australia has suffered the biggest fall in household disposable income in the developed world. 

Families are going backwards, struggling with higher mortgage repayments, soaring power bills, and rising costs on everyday essentials.

We need a stronger economy, with low inflation and rising living standards. That’s what we are determined to deliver.

Achievements in Government

DEFENCE

Peter Dutton served as Australia’s Minister for Defence from March 2021 until May 2022. During this period,
Peter:
  • Negotiated AUKUS – the most significant advance in Australia’s defence capability in history.
    Australia will now acquire a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines and is just the second country
    (after the UK) to benefit from this US technology.
  • Restored Defence Funding to 2% of GDP. This followed Labor slashing Defence funding to lowest level
    since 1938.
  • Oversaw the most significant national shipbuilding enterprise since World War II.
  • Delivered “REDSPICE” – Australia’s largest investment in intelligence and cyber capabilities.
    REDSPICE triples Australia’s offensive cyber capabilities. And doubles our ability to detect and
    respond to cyber attacks.

HOME AFFAIRS

Peter Dutton was Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs (2017 to 2021) and Minister for Immigration and
Border Protection (2014 to 2018). As Minister, Peter Dutton:
  • Ensured no illegal boat arrivals and saw all children removed from detention.
  • Cancelled visas of 6,300 non-citizen dangerous criminals – including for domestic violence, child sex
    offenses, assault and armed robbery.
  • Established world-leading Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation.
  • Closed Australia’s borders early in COVID-19 pandemic – helping save around 40,000 lives.
During this period:
  • Security agencies thwarted over 20 terrorist attacks, with ASIO and AFP having record funding and
    strengthened powers.
  • Westpac was hit with largest fine in Australian history ($1.3 billion) for contravening anti-terror and
    anti-money laundering legislation.

HEALTH

Get the Facts on Health

As Health Minister (2013 to 2014), Peter Dutton:
  • Increased hospital funding by 16%. From $13.3 billion in 2012-13 to $15.5 billion in 2014-15.
  • Increased overall health funding 5.5% From $62.2 billion in 2012-13 to $65.6 billion in
    2014-15.
  • Established Australia’s $20 billion Medical Research Future Fund.
  • Expanded youth mental health service Headspace – to 100 centres in 2014 Budget. After successfully
    lobbying for 60 centres as Shadow Minister in 2010.
  • Expanded bowel cancer screening for 50–74-year-olds. Cancer Council said this would save 35,000
    lives
    over the next 40 years.
  • Delivered more GP training places and nursing scholarships.

ASSISTANT TREASURER

As Assistant Treasurer (2006 and 2007), Peter Dutton was part of John Howard and Peter Costello’s economic
team
that delivered surpluses and lowered taxes.
  • Oversaw the expansion of the superannuation co-contribution scheme. Helping low- and middle-income
    earners – and particularly women – to save for their retirement.
  • Simplified the tax system, reducing compliance costs for small business and providing greater support
    for
    primary producers suffering through drought.
  • Reformed and simplified the fuel tax system for Australian businesses.

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